Out on your own: stress-free shopping with a baby

Supermarket of your choice:

Almost all supermarkets now have modern shopping carts that can carry both toddlers and infant car seats. In addition, there are significant differences when it comes to the family-friendliness of supermarkets: Starting with designated parent parking spaces that are wider to make lifting out the infant car seat easier, to spacious aisles in the supermarket that make it easy to maneuver even large strollers, to attentive staff – You'll quickly find which store is the most pleasant for shopping with a baby.

Well planned:

With a baby you lose a bit of spontaneity. That's a pity, but actually it makes shopping more relaxed, if you align it with your daily routine: Head out when your baby is fed and freshly changed and avoid the after-work rush at the supermarket.

Shopping with a baby – is it possible?

It's not just the daily grocery runs – sooner or later you may need new shoes, a winter coat, or birthday presents for your partner. With a few tricks you can handle shopping with a baby even when it goes beyond a trip to the supermarket or farmers' market.

Use the nap time:

Schedule your shopping roughly during your baby's nap. If you take a long walk beforehand, there's a good chance your child will sleep through trying on clothes and shopping in their stroller.

Get support:

Maybe your mother or a friend can come shopping with you? That way you can slip into the fitting room for a moment without worries or sit down to try on shoes.

Keeping occupied:

Sometimes it helps to have a new toy ready for a shopping trip. While your child is busy with it, you'll have some time to browse and shop.

Practical tips for relaxed shopping

• Allow enough time: With children, shopping takes longer – if you take that into account from the outset, you avoid stress

• Avoid peak times: Try to go shopping when it's a bit quieter to avoid crowded aisles and queues at the checkout

• Have something to keep them occupied: A toy or a small book distracts and gives you a bit of peace

• Take it easy: If you're rushed or annoyed, that quickly rubs off on your child

• Weekly shopping: Prefer to plan one big shop and occasionally go to the weekly market or bakery

• Be prepared: Always carry a spare diaper and bodysuit, even on seemingly short trips

Image credits

Mother with baby in buggy, pulling shopping basket © Анастасия Стягайло - stock.adobe.com

Baby in the child seat of a shopping cart © Halfpoint - stock.adobe.com

Mother pushes stroller and looks at her child © kasto - stock.adobe.com

Mother lifts child up and points to the fruit counter © Galina Zhigalova - stock.adobe.com